Read Online Cart Before The Horse by Bernadette Marie - Free Book Online Page A

bridal gown designers. Holly knew her list wouldn’t include herself or Tracy, as her mother had never thought much of her
chosen career.
    “Mother, we’re not having anything big. In fact we’ve thought about just having a private ceremony and perhaps a nice dinner with friends and family after.”
    Her mother reached for her drink with shaky hands and sent gin splashing over the sides. She managed to get it to her mouth and sip without spilling it down the front of her. “You’re going to deny me a wedding?”
    Oh, she had no idea of the disappointment she was about to go through. “Mother, first of all, it’s not your wedding. It’s mine, and it’s what we want.”
    The waiter set their food down and Ed continued to smile at Holly. He leaned toward her. “Well, I think it sounds
wonderful. I can’t wait to meet him.”
    Holly picked up her napkin and set it in her lap. She took
     
    her spoon and stirred her soup, but she couldn’t help but notice her father’s eyes still lingered on her.
    “Holly, is there anything else you want to tell us?”
    All she could do was plaster on a smile and shake her head. No, she certainly didn’t want to tell them anything else.
     
     

 
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Four
     
     
     
    Holly hadn’t thought much about crowds when she’d headed to Maguire’s for dinner, as she’d promised Gabe she would, but it was Friday night. The line out the door nearly made her turn around.
    Chandra hurried toward her as she saw her and waved her around the line of people that waited. “Hey, Holly. Gabe is in his office. He said to grab you if you showed up.”
    Holly gave her a nod and headed back to the small office she’d been in once before.
    The door was open and Gabe sat at his desk. His head rested on his hand as he was looking over an order on his desk. Absentmindedly, he worked his fingers in his hair, and Holly smiled. Even with his face hidden, he was handsome.
    The thought that she’d already memorized his face struck her like she’d been jabbed in the gut, and she shook it off. She didn’t need to be watching him and thinking about how attractive he was. There was enough to worry about after her disastrous lunch with her parents and that little bit about their getting married. She needed to stay her course and be the friend who was carrying his child. Once he found out she’d gone that far, would he even be able to call her a friend?
    She cleared her throat to get his attention.
    His head snapped up and he smiled. “Hey. I was hoping you’d come by.”
    “I should go home. You have a line out the door. Is it always this busy on Friday?”
    “Always.” He stood up and his gaze moved over her. “You
     
    look beautiful.”
    She looked down at her casual attire. “It’s becoming more comfortable by the day to dress down.”
    “Has anyone told you yet that you’re glowing?”
    There was an urge to shake away his compliment about being beautiful, but was he really looking close enough to see her glow? Is that what he expected? “I don’t think I’m far enough along to glow.”
    He winked. “You are. C’mon, let’s get some dinner and take it upstairs. The noise in here tonight is giving me a
headache.”
    Gabe made them each a plate of the buffalo meatloaf, which was the special. He poured himself a beer, and Holly opted for an iced tea. They walked silently up the steps to his apartment and set their plates down on the table.
    Holly looked around as she placed her napkin on her lap. “Do you even have groceries here? It’s very nice to think you could just go down and get whatever you wanted to eat.”
    “It’s fine. But you have to think there are thirty items on that menu. Now if you come in often, you have a favorite. It’s what keeps you coming back. But when you’re faced with those same items every night, no it’s no luxury.”
    “You don’t like buffalo meatloaf?”
    “Like it a lot. I’ve had it six times in the last two weeks.